There has been a long standing positive, close relationship between the USA and Israel. Both countries have been benefiting from each other both militarily and economically ever since Israel was founded in 1948.

Now it seems that dentists in the two nations have decided to develop a closer, collaborative relationship.

One aspect of this partnership takes the form of raising money to help for the Jerusalem Dental Centre for Children. The latter is a not for profit organisation that treats and promotes preventive oral health for people living in Jerusalem and the wider country.

One of the main promoters of this new relationship is a Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Frey who worked in Israel during the 1990s. He was so overwhelmed by his experience of too many suffering poor oral health but unable to afford treatment, he vowed to do something to help.

Dr. Frey told reporters: “There wasn’t a place that was providing quality dentistry for low-income patients.”

As such, he helped raise money to develop the Jerusalem Dental Centre for Children. Since then it hasn’t looked back.

For instance, at the beginning of December last year Dr. Frey organised a benefit night in his home town to raise money for the centre.  Many of those attending were also Dr. Frey’s patients who wanted to help out by raising much needed funds.

Dentists in the USA are known nowadays for their altruism. While some have got involved in schemes to help underprivileged or underserved people in the USA or in very poor parts of the world, this is perhaps the first venture in another relatively prosperous nation.

That’s the conclusion of a paediatric dental clinic based in South Carolina.  Anderson Paediatric Dentistry recently embarked on a campaign to help parents incorporate a ‘back to school’ dental health regime.

The dental surgeons at the practice believe that children often forget to look after their teeth during holiday periods, particularly the long summer time holiday periods. Consequently, children shift from their routine until they return to school in September.

This in turn could affect their education, as they are more likely to develop dental problems.

A spokesperson for the American Academy of Paediatrics, Dr. Alycia Rodgers told reporters: “Children with preventable or untreated health and development problems may have trouble concentrating and learning.”

She added: “When a child has serious tooth decay, it can affect overall health and can lead to problems in eating, speaking and paying attention in class.”

In the UK, children attending primary schools are generally offered help, advice and even equipment such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. These are generally sent from the local NHS primary care trust to the child’s home. Yet, even in Britain the same problems of ignoring current dental routines can put a child’s oral health at risk.

In the USA, the problems can be exacerbated, as there generally isn’t a planned approach to children’s oral health. If there is it is often patchy and uncoordinated.

Consequently, it is left to local private clinics and local dental health associations to get the message across that irrespective of holidays, it is still imperative to look after teeth and gums.

In the case of the clinic it has altered its opening and closing times to try to encourage as many parents to bring their children along for checkups and treatment before they return to school.

Hopefully parents will make use of this extra service.

Last week ITV’s ‘Tonight’ programme  investigated the state of children’s oral health in Britain today, with some shocking findings.

In a preamble to the programme itself, the presenter said: “There has been remarkable progress in dental health recently – yet a third of children in the UK have tooth decay by the time they start primary school.”

The presenter added: “Every year tens of thousands of them require hospital operations to remove their rotting teeth. Tonight investigates why this entirely preventable disease is still such a problem in 2012 and what can be done to eradicate it.”

The programme itself investigated the oral health of several children, one of whom was having several teeth removed. In fact, the decay in the little girl’s mouth was so bad that she had to have a full scale operation.

The programme also investigated how Scotland’s dental initiative called Childsmile works. Until very recently Scotland was one of the worst areas of the UK with dental health problems affecting all ages.

Among the treatments offered in the scheme is fluoride varnishing for pre-school children, who are often the most vulnerable victims of decay, as they are frequently given unhealthy drinks both during the day and at night before bed.

The British Government last year removed the need for schools to bring in dental experts to check children’s teeth. The argument was that it was neither cost effective nor did it offer a good solution.

However, given the poor oral health of children in the UK as a whole, this decision may be one that will have to change.

Scouts and cubs are well known for embracing new ideas, which help members develop and improve not just their knowledge but also their lives. So, it is not surprising that cub organisations are now thinking about the importance of oral health.

One of the first to invite dentists to talk about oral health and how cubs can keep their mouths and teeth fresh and clean was First Bookham Oak Pack. They were given a lesson by local dental hygienist, Trudie Dawson.

The aim of the lesson was to educate the children in a fun and non-threatening manner and they felt simply telling children what would happen if they didn’t clean their teeth would most likely be counterproductive. However, making the dental lesson lively and fun was much more interesting and therefore more likely to produce positive results.

Children love anything gruesome, so Trudie obliged by showing the boys pictures of rotten teeth, while explaining why it happens. Hopefully the message will have got through that eating and drinking too many sugary products without cleaning teeth will result in decay and lost teeth, not to mention diseased gums.

Speaking with reporters afterwards, Trudie said: “The sessions were very important, as children today are bombarded with all kinds of sugary foods and fizzy drinks, which are contributing to an increase in the prevalence of decay and gum disease among young children.”

As well as offering advice on how to look after teeth and gums, Trudie emphasised the need to get regular checkups with the dentist.

It seems that in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan children are more likely to be fully anaesthetised while having a dental operation than for any other medical treatment.

Recent reports suggest that children’s teeth in the province are so bad that they have to be put to sleep. What’s more, out of the 1900 on the waiting list for dental treatment, more than 50% are under the age of 6, while 75% are under 10.

Speaking about this to local reporters, a dental therapist, Penny Griffith said: “It’s an accepted thing — the front smile being black and stubby. It’s so ‘normal’ here that it doesn’t matter.”

Another dentist, Dr. Mohan Teekasingh’s, confirmed this. During an average day he will carry out 6 to 8 drillings and filings, and extract 4 to 6 teeth. He said: “A lot of these kids, unfortunately, live with the pain and take it as part of their normal existence.”

Dentists in the province are naturally concerned about this, as periodontal disease in children can prevent them from eating properly, cause continual pain and interfere with their education and every day lives. Yet it is preventable.

Dentists are also concerned that children have to undergo full anaesthesia. Dr. Gerry Uswak, dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s dentistry college told reporters: “It’s a travesty that many children have to be going through a general anaesthetic because of the end stage of dental disease — something that’s preventable. It’s a crime.”

One of the major reasons for this crisis is poverty. While gum disease is not related to poverty, children from poor families tend to be less aware of the need to eat well and have regular dental checkups, as well as looking after their teeth. The problem is particularly acute among the Canadian Indian population, who tend to be poorer than their white compatriots.

“If you don’t have a roof over your head, or mum or dad are drinking again, or, there’s a party at your house, or maybe 85 people live at your house, maybe teeth brushing isn’t just as important as it is to us,” dental therapist Penny Griffith said.

In an effort to try and help improve Scotland’s dental health the chief Dental Officer has praised brushing and is encouraging parents to ensure their children look after their teeth by brushing them regularly.

Scotland has come a long way in just a few short years with improved dental and oral health, but the Scottish Government is not sitting back on its laurels and is continuing to promote basic oral hygiene habits.

The latest figures (from 2009) reveal that 64% of very young children do not show any sign of tooth decay. This figure is apparently the highest in Scottish dental health history, which the Chief Dentist wants to maintain if not improve still further.

Speaking with reporters, Scotland’s public health minister Michael Matheson said: “This is tremendous progress and is a sign that we are reaping the reward of our significant investment in children’s dentistry. However, it is important to make sure that we maintain this good oral health record over Christmas and New Year, and as we move into 2012.”

He added: “That’s why we are continuing to invest in childhood dental health, through programmes such as Childsmile, which emphasises the importance of tooth-brushing and helps parents establish a healthy diet from the earliest stage.

Through the Childsmile programme, 94% of all nursery schools and 95% of primary schools in the most deprived areas have taught children how to brush their teeth properly.”

However, it isn’t just children who are benefiting from new rules and regulations, as parents and other adults are benefiting as is NHS dentistry. It seems that 73% of adults and 86% of children are now registered with an NHS dentist in Scotland.

Delighted with this news, but nevertheless concerned at the potential for harm to children’s dental health during the Christmas period, the Chief Dental Officer, Margie Taylor said: “We know that over the festive period we can sometimes overindulge in chocolates and sugary treats. Not eating sugary snacks between meals can help to protect your children’s teeth from decay.

She added: “Make sure you keep to your regular routine of brushing your teeth morning and night over the festive period – this can play an important role in helping to keep you and your children’s teeth healthy.”

Now 2012 is here no doubt Scotland will continue where it left off and will help all its citizens develop much needed health smiles, particularly as we enter a period of severe financial austerity.

There is a famous literary quote namely, ‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.’

This quote seems apt today when applied to children living in the State of New Jersey, according to researchers. The latter found that in 2009 one in 20 children (aged 3 – 18) living in the State received no dental treatment whatsoever. While this statistic is an improvement on previous research in 2001, which found one-third of children had no dental treatment, nevertheless it does raise questions as to what the authorities are doing to improve access.

Seemingly, it is children who have no insurance cover or are born outside of the US who are at the most risk of dental problems.

Although the American Dental Association recommends regular trips to the dentist for either check ups or treatment, the cost can be prohibitive for many families. As such, they tend to forego these visits, spending money on other things instead.

Yet, as is now known, ensuring teeth are checked regularly can in fact help prevent more serious problems from developing later in life.

Speaking with reporters, José Nova, research project coordinator and lead author of the study said: “Tooth decay remains one of the most preventable common chronic diseases among children.”

It seems in the USA generally, tooth decay affects over a quarter of children aged 2 to 5 and a massive 50% of children aged 12 to 15.

Many dentists are trying to address this massive problem by offering free surgeries every now and again. But it is still clear that dental health in the USA has a long way to go before it improves.

A practice based in Tuckahoe recently held a party involving its patients and others to mark being in business for 18 months. The celebration was held in honour of its customers rather than the practice itself.

The atmosphere was about having fun, with many of the children attending having paint daubed on their faces.

One of the owners of the practice, Erica Pichardo told reporters: “I absolutely love my job. It’s a pleasure to be here, and to dish up a cup of happiness to these patients.”

The party also had a Hawaiian theme which everyone attending thought a great idea. Many of the staff even went as far as adorning Hawaiian clothing; children played with Hawaiian toys.

One of those attending the party was the office manager, Lynda Lederle-Natale. She said: “The month of August celebrates our 18-month anniversary here in Tuckahoe.

“In the Jewish religion, the number 18 means long life and happiness. It’s a good number, so we decide to have a patient appreciation day. Without our wonderful patients we wouldn’t exist.”

Referring to the fun the children were having at the party, another attendee added: “Painting the children here is a lot of fun for me. It brings me much joy to see their little faces change into whatever they want it to be.

“I’ve been here for eight different days throughout the month hanging out with all the kids and it’s really a great opportunity for them because coming to the dentist can be pretty scary.  They do a great job here calming the kids.”

The party attracted a large number of the practice’s patients. One first time younger patient, Alyssa Gallo who is only 8 years old said: “The dentist was really nice. I was really good so they let me pick out three prizes. I can’t wait to come again, the office is really cool.”

400 boxes of aid have begun their 40-day trip to Fiji, after an immense contribution from the residents of Derby. Computer equipment, thousands of books and toothbrushes were collection by the Children of Fiji Charity to help improve the education and dental health of hundreds of children living on the remote Pacific islands.

Margaret and Peter Long, former Derby residents, created the charity after visiting the country in 1999. During this trip they were struck by the low standards of education and oral health and so formed the charity in the hope that they could make a change.

Margaret and Peter are to visit Fiji on the 12^th of September to help with the distribution of the aid and outlined the main problem areas in Fiji they wished to address; “The biggest problem in Fiji is that they don’t know the importance of dental hygiene, which is why we are sending out toothbrushes and toothpaste.”

Over 400 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpastes were contributed by Oral-B, to help with the oral hygiene problems and computers, scanners and printers were donated by the Chaddesden Park and Alban’s primary schools, to help bring technology to the classrooms of Fiji. Margaret also discussed the importance of technology in terms of education: “Not many schools in Fiji have computers because they don’t have electricity. We want to show how important computers are to education, using the computers sent out on this aid trip.”

The couple and residents of Derby have high hopes for the trip and are keen to expand upon the reach of the charity in the near future: “After this trip, we will continue to fund-raise for big projects and promote the importance of school and education.”

Iceland is not a country that many people would associate with being troublesome, but recent financial events have brought this nation to the forefront.

Today’s financial troubles have brought damaging consequences to many countries and are now having a worrying effect upon the dental health of Iceland’s children.

Financial pressures still appear to be having an effect, not least among dentists. It seems that negotiations between Icelandic health authorities and dentists have stalled, making a major impact on the health of the nation’s children.

The negotiations are over the instigation of a new State contract, something that hasn’t happened for 12 years. As such, dentists have been forced to ask for a rise of between 110-115 per cent on refunds from the national insurance fund. Unfortunately, for the dentists, the health authorities are refusing to accept this.

This has also forced Sigurdur Benediktsson, chairman of the Icelandic Dentists’ Association to attack the State authorities for not doing something about providing cheap and good quality dental health care for the youngest and most vulnerable in Icelandic society.

He said that there is currently a financial surplus that could be used in part to fund a proper dental health service for children and those least able to afford dental care. This is borne out by a recent survey which appeared to show that 42% of 0 – 17 year olds have not visited a dentist in the past 12 months.

This dispute is for many people very worrying, as in the main Iceland’s health system has been praised as being very affordable. However, dental health not included.